39/11
Two Harkonnen sisters battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and form the legendary sect that would become known as the Bene Gesserit. Check out our list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show has made it. the Great Schools of Dune trilogy by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. A prequel to the original Dune that tells the story of how Sister Rossak evolved into the Bene Gesserit. The incident that uses Valya Harkonnen’s voice comes from an event called “Mentats of Dune.” All three books weave together the development of the Sisterhood, the Mentats, the Navigators, and the Suk Doctors. Referenced in AniMat’s Crazy Cartoon Cast: The New Normal (2020). The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max’s new foray into the world of Frank Herbert’s universe, unfortunately feels bleak and uninspired. Despite its ambitious source material, the episode struggles to capture the charm and depth that made Dune so beloved. The most glaring problem is the editing. The pacing is wildly off, scenes feel rushed, and there’s no breathing room to build tension or mood. In their effort to cram too much story into a single hour, the episode becomes a chaotic barrage of nonstop dialogue, sacrificing narrative flow and engagement. Moments that should have been significant are undermined by hasty jump cuts, leaving little room for emotional or thematic resonance. Visually, Dune Prophecy suffers from a continuation of the drab, industrial aesthetic seen in recent Dune adaptations. The set and costume design feel sterile and monotonous, failing to evoke the complex, lived-in feel of Herbert’s universe. The lack of visual and atmospheric variety diminishes the sense of wonder and alien grandeur that Dune aspires to. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of effective worldbuilding. While the episode places a heavy emphasis on expository dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects the world itself. The complex political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel shallow, and the lack of atmospheric “vibes” leaves the setting feeling empty and uninteresting. Ultimately, Dune Prophecy struggles to find a balance between exposition and immersion, resulting in an episode that feels more like a rushed recap than a compelling introduction to the series. Without significant tweaks to the pacing, editing, and worldbuilding, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.
